Control head



July 17, 1934- H. P. wlcKERsHA'M ET AL CONTROL HEAD Filed sept. 8, '1930 2 Sheets-Sheet M fi a. f w fa? m ,O VP f f MWMQ w n wu dz. 9 ma 7. W W i M /7 July 17v 1934- H. P. wlcKERsHAMA E-r AL 1,966,809

CONTROL HEAD Filed sept. 8, 1930 2 sneets-shee: 2

E: 69 1 O ;z f w Patentel July li, 1934 uNi'ra 1.986.809 CONTROL HEAD Harry P. Wiekersham, Huntington Park, and `Iames O.Tow, South Pasadena, Calif.

Application September 8, 1930, Serial No. 480,324

'Z Claims. (Cl. 251-61) This invention relates to a valve means for controlling the passage of fluid and relates more particularly to a control head for use on a well casing.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a simple, practical, and eifective control valve or control head adapted to be mounted on the upper end of a well casing.

It is an object of the invention to provide a control head that is operable to close off or seal off a well casing when a drill pipe, or the'like, is extending into the casing and that is operable to close off the casing when the drill pipe is removed.

It is another object of the invention to provide a control head of the character mentioned that may be quickly and easily operated either to pack ofi around a drill pipe, or the like, extending through a well casing to prevent the well from blowing out through the casing or to close the upper end of the well casing after the drilling tools have been removed.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved valve construction for embodiment in a control head of the character mentioned.

Another object of the invention is to provide a control head that does not normally interfere with the free passage of tools into the well.

It is another object of the invention to provide a control head of the character mentioned that is particularly sturdy in construction and which Ais capable of withstanding high fluid pressures.

A further object of the invention is to provide a control head that embodies two valve members operable to prevent the discharge of fluid from a well casing and to provide a novel and improved means f or egualizing the fluid pressures exerted on the valve members.

Other objects and features of our invention will be best and more fully understood from the fol- 40 lowing detailed description of a typical form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a Vertical detailed sectional view of the head provided by this invention showing one of the valve means sealing around a drill pipe extending through the casing. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating the other valve means included in the device closing the opening communicatlng with the well casing. Fig. 3 is a horizontal detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a transverse or Vertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a plan view of a valve member and Fig. '7 is aside view of the valve member illustrated in Fig. 6.

The embodiment of our inventionilustrated in the drawings includes, generally, a body or housing 10 adapted to be mounted on the upper end of a well casing C, valve means 11 operable to prevent the discharge of fluid from the well casing C, means 12 for Operating the valve means 11, valve means 13 for packing oif around a drill pipe *P,'or the like, extending into the casing C to prevent the well from blowing out through the casing, and means 14 for Operating the valve means 13.

'I'he housing 10 is adapted to be mounted on the upper end of a well casing C and is provided to carry the valve means 11 and 13 and the operating means 12 and 14. In the particular case illustrated the housing 10 is in the nature of a single unit or assembly for carrying both of the valve means and both of the valve Operating means. It

' will be apparent that the valve means 11 and 13 may be mounted or carried in individual housings connected in any suitable manner or in entirely separate and distinct housings without departing from the broader principles of the invention. A Vertical opening 15 is provided in the housing 10 to register with the well casing C. The opening 15 is of the same diameter as the interior of the casing or of a slightly larger diameter than the casing to readily pass the drilling tools, etc. An annular fitting or flange member 16 is mounted on the lower side of the housing 10 around the 'opening 15 to facilitate connection of the housing 10 with the casing C. The opening 17 of the member 16 may be screw threaded to receive the upper end of the casing. The fiange member 16 may be secured to the housing 10 by suitable studs 18 and packing 19 may be provided between the member and the housing. A. fiange member 20 may be provided on the upper side of the housing 10 around the upper end of the'openlng 15 to receive an extension of the casing C or a discharge conduit 21. The member 20 may be similar to the fiange member 16 and may be secured to the housing 10 in the same manner as the member 16.

A horizontal chamber 22 is provided in the lower portion of the housing 10 to carry the valve means 11 and a portion of the valve Operating means 12. The chamber 22 intersects the opening 15 and is an elongated opening or cavity having an inner portion 23 at one side of the opening 15 and an outer portion 24 at the opposite side of the opening. The chamber 22 is preferably wider than or of greater diameter than the open- Vof resilient packing material.

ing 15 and has straight parallel side walls 25. The inner end of the Chamber 22 is closed by a Vertical end wall 26 of the housing 10, while the opposite end of the Chamber is closed by a ca'pl or head 27. The head 27 may be secured to the housing 10 by suitable studs 28 and packing 29 may be provided to seal between the head and the housing. A recess or socket 30 is provided in the inner side of the Cap 27 to form a Continuation of the outer portion 24 of the Chamber 22.

A horizontal Chamber 31 is provided in the upper portion of the housing 10 to carry the valve means 13 and a portion of the operating means 14. The Chamber 31 may be spaced from the Chamber 22 and openings or Cavities 33 may be provided in the housing 10 between the walls of the Chambers '22 and 31 to lighten the Construction. The Chamber 31 may be directly above the Chamber 22 and may be of the same size and shape as the Chamber 22. The upper Chamber 31 intersects the opening 15 and has an inner portion 34 and an outer portion 35. The outer end of the Chamber 32 is closed by a head 36. The head 36 may be of the same Construction as the head 27 and is provided with a recess 37 forming a continuation of the outer portion of the Chamber.

The valve means 11, for closing or preventing the discharge of fluid from the casing C when the drill pipe and drilling tools are removed from the Casing, is carried in the Chamber 22 and includes two valve members 38 and 39. The gate or valve members 38 and 39 are slidable longitudinally or horizontally in the Chamber 22 between positions where they are entirely free of the opening 15 and positions where they completely close the opening. The valve member 38 is normally disposed within the inner portion 23 of the Chamber and is operable by the means 12 to a position where it projects into the opening 15, while the valve member 39 is normally disposed in the outer portion 24 of the Chamber and is operable by the means 12 to a position where it projects into the opening 15 to cooperate with the member 38. The members 38 and 39 are substantially alike in construction and are each rectangular in plan configuration. In accordance with the preferred form of the invention the valve members 38 and 39 are proportioned so that they are slidable along the side walls 25 of the chamber 22. The upper and lower sides of the valve members are flat and parallel and annular seat fianges 40 are provided at the upper and lower walls of the Chamber 22 around the opening 15 to slidably cooperate with the upper and lower sides of the valve members.

The present invention provides improved packing or sealing means on the valve members 38 and 39 for effectively preventing the discharge of fiuid under pressure from the casing C when the valve members are in the Closed position. Each of the valve members is provided with a body 41 The packing 41 completely covers the inner side of each of the valve members and extends into recesses 42 in the members. The recesses 42 have upwardly and outwardly Curved lower walls. In accordance with the preferred form of the invention the re- Cesses 42 extend to the upper sides of the valve members. The upper or outer ends of the recesses 42 are preferably semi-circular and are located so that they are in register with the upper flange seat 40 when the valve members are in the closed or operated position. The packing 41 may completely fill the recesses 42 so that it is adapted to seal with the fiange 40 when the members are in engagement. It is a feature of the invention that the packing 41 is fiowed or pressed upwardly in the converging recesses 42 to tightly seal with the fiange or valve seat 40 when the members 38 and 39 are in the closed position.

Ribs 43 extend through the recesses 42 to reinforce the valve members 38 and 39 and to aid in expanding the packing when the valve members are in the sealing position. The ribs 43 may be elliptical in horizontal or cross sectional Configuration and may be tapered longitudinally outward in opposite directions from their vertical Centers. The ribs 43 shaped in this manner are particularly effective in fiowing the packing 41 in the desired manner.

The means 12 for Operating the valve means 11 is in the nature of a single screw means for operating both of the valve members 38 and 39. In accordance with the invention the Operating means 12 includes a stem 45 extending into the Chamber 22. The stem 45 may extend into the Chamber through an opening in the head 27 and a suitable packing gland 46 may be provided on the head to seal around the stem. A suitable universal joint 47 may be provided to connect the stem 45 with an Operating member 48. The member 48 may extend to any convenient or safe point and may be manually operated or operated as desired. The inner end of the stem 45 is rotatably connected to the valve member 39. The connection between the stem 45 and the valve member 39 is such that the valve member is caused to move longitudinally through the Chamber 22 with the stem 45. A head 49 is provided on the end of the stem 45 and is rotatably carried in a socket 50 in the valve member. A screw threaded portion 51 of enlarged diameter is provided on the stem 45 within the Chamber 22. A cross head or yoke 52 is screw threaded on the threaded portion 51 of the stem 45. The yoke 52 slidably fits the Chamber 22 and its arms extend outwardly to points adjacent the side walls 25 of the Chamber. The outward movement of the valve member 38 is limited by the wall 26. The outward movement of the member 39 is limited by the yoke 52 which engages the head 27. The inward movement of the stem 45 may be limited by a part of the universal joint 47, which is adapted to engage a stop 90 mounted on the gland 46. The outward movement of thestem 45 is limited by a shoulder 91 at the end of the threaded part of the stem, which is adapted to engage the head 27 when the yoke is in the outermost position. The outer side of the yoke 52 is adapted to engage or react against the inner side of the head 27, and the outer side of the yoke 52 may be shaped to effectively cooperate with the Cap. In the particular Case illustrated the outer Corners of the yoke 52 and the socket 30 are beveled.

The gate orv valve member 38 is operatively connected with the yoke 52 so that it is operated through the Chamber 22 upon rotation of the stem 45. Connecting rods or bars 57 operatively connect the yoke 52 and the valve member 38. The bars 57 may be attached to the yoke 52 by suitable screws 58 and may be attached to the valve member 38 by screws 59. The bars 57 slidably operate in guideways 60 in the side walls 25 of the Chamber. In the particular case illustrated the bars 57 are of rectangular cross sectional Configuration and the guideways 60 are shaped to effectively carry the bars. Guideways are provided in the outer edges of the valve ioeaeoo member 39 to slidably receive or pass the bars 57. The valve member 39 may slidably operate on or engage both the bars 57 and the walls 25 of the Chamber. It will be apparent how rotation of the stem 45 Will cause movement of the yoke 52 in the Chamber 22 and Corresponding movement of the valve member 38. `When the stem 45 is rotated to bring the valve members 38 and 39 to their closed position, the yoke 52 is threaded along the 'stem to a position adja- Cent the head 27 to position the valve member 38 in its closed position in the opening 15, and the stem 45 is threaded through the yoke to bring the valve member 39 to a position where it Cooperates with the member 38 to close the opening 15.

In aCCordanCe withA the invention improved means is provided for equalizing the pressures exerted on the valve members 38 and 39 when they are in the closed position. The present invention provides means for admitting fluid from the well under pressure into the Chamber 22, from the well Casing C, to permit it to aCt upon the rear or outer sides of the valve members. One or more ports 62 communicate between the opening 15 and the Chamber 22. The ports 62 communicate with the opening 15 at points below the Chamber 22 and open into the lower wall of the Chamber. Longitudinal grooves 63 are provided along the side walls 25 of the Chamber 22 to pass fiuid to the inner portion 23 of the Chamber to permit it to act upon the real' side of the valve member 38. It will be apparent how fluid under pressure within the Chamber 22 will aid in Compressing or actuating the paclsing 'il and how it will equalize to a Considerable extent the pressures exerted on the valve members 38 and 39 by the fluid within the well Casing C.

The valve means 13 is arranged in the chamber 31 of the housing 10 and is operable by the means 14 to seal around the pipe P, or the like, to prevent the well from blowing out through the casingVV C when the drill pipe is extending into the well. The means 13 may be similar, generally, to the means ll described above and may include two substantially like valve members 33s and 39a slidably mounted in the Chamber 31. The valve members 38a and 39a may be similar to the members 38 and 39, that is, they may be substantially rectangular parts slidably fitting between the side walls of the Chamber 31. The valve member 38a is normally disposed within the inner portion 34 of the Chamber where it is free of the opening 15, while the member 39a is normally disposed within the outer portion 35 of the Chamber where it is free of the opening. The upper and lower sides of the valve members slidably Cooperate with annular seats on the upper and lower walls of the Chamber 31 around the opening 15.

rThe members 38EL and 39a each Carry paclring 66. The bodies of packing 66 are carried in recesses 67 in the valve members. The recesses 67 may be of substantially the same Shape as the reCesses 42 described above and the inner and upper portions of the packing are adapted to seal with the upper seats 65 when the valve members are in the Closed position. In accordance with the invention the members 38a and 39a are provided at their inner edges with substantially semi-Circular Vertical grooves or notches 70. The notches of the two valve members are brought into register when the valve members are in the Closed position so that they form a round opening for passing the pipe P. The bodies of packing 66 of the V the member 38B.

valve members completely Cover the inner sides of the members and the walls of the grooves 70 so that they are adapted to eifectively Cooperate to prevent the leakage of fluid between the members and to seal around the pipe P. Reinforcing ribs 68 extend through the recesses 67. When the valve members 38a and 39 are in the Closed position where the packing on their inner sides is in tight sealing engagement with the pipe P, the packing is pressed or forced upwardly into effective sealing engagement with the seat fiange 65 to prevent the leakage of fluid from the Chamber 31.

The means 14 for Operating the valve means 13 may be of the same Construction as the operating means 12, that is, it may include a stem 69 rotatably connected with the valve member 39a, a yoke 71 screw threaded on the stem 69, and connecting bars 72 Conneoting the yoke 71 and The stem 69 extends through the head 36 and a packing gland 74 is provided to pack around the stem. A suitable universal joint 75 may Connect the stem 69 with an Operating member 76. The operation of the means 1.4 is the same as the operation of the means 12, that is, rotation of the stem causes movement of the valve members to move toward or away from one another, depending upon the direction in which it is rotated.

One or more ports 77 extend between the opening 15 and the Chamber 31 to permit fluid under pressure in the opening to act upon the rear sides of the valve members. Longitudlnal grooves 78 are provided along the side walls of 'the Chamber 31 to pass fluid to the inner portion 35 of the Chamber.

It is believed that the utiiity and operation of the head provided by this invention will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description.

It is to be noted that the invention provides a head that embodies two separate and individually operable means for preventing a well from blowing out through the casing, one of the means being adapted to close off the Casing after the drilling tools have been removed, the other being .adapted to pack off around a drill pipe, or the like, extending through the Casing. The means 12 and 1a are easily and quiclly operated and are positive in their operation. The valve members of the means 13 may be readily replaced with members for sealing with various sizes of pipe. It is to be noted that rotation of the operating stems in the direction to shift the valve members to their Closed positions Causes the valve members to be brought into tight efiective eooperation. The head may be embodied in a single unitary structure of the Character desoribed above so that it occupies a minimum amount of space at the derrlck and may be Conveniently handled and operated. The parts are all of simple and sturdy construction and are capable of withstanding heavy pressures. It is to be noted that the packing carried by the valve members is particularly efiective in Cooperating to prevent the ow of fluid from the well and to prevent the lealage of the fiuid from the Chambers of the housing.

Having described only a typical preferred form of our invention, we do not wish to limit ourselves to the specific details set forth, but wish to reserve to ourselves any Changes or variations that may appear 'to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following Claims;

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. A device of the Character described inllil leo'

cluding, a housing adapted to be mounted on a well casing and having an opening to register With the well casing and a chamber intersecting the opening, two valve members in the chamber movable between positions free of the opening and positions in sealing engagement with an object extending through the opening, a valve seat on the Wall of the chamber around the opening, means for operating the members, and distortable packing carried in recesses in the members shaped and related so as to be adapted to cooperate and to seal about the object, the recesses extending outwardly and upwardly from the inner edges of the members to the upper sides of the members and being outwardly convergent so that the packing is adapted to be pressed outwardly and upwardly in the recesses into sealing engagement with the seat when in cooperative engagement.l

2. A control valve including a body, there being an opening through the body, a seat on the interior of the body around the opening, valve members in the body movable to positions where they extend across the opening and have their inner edges in pressural co-operative engagement, there being a recess in each valve member extending from its inner edge outwardly and upwardly to its upper side and being of outwardly diminishing cross section, and a body of deformable packing in each recess, the packing be- Ving in pressural engagement at the inner edges of the member and being pressed outwardly and upwardly in the recesses to seal with the seat when the members are in said position.

3. A device of the character described including, a body having an opening, a seat on the interior of the body around the opening, two valve members movable toward one another to positions across the opening where their inner edges are in abutment, there being a recess in each member extending outwardly and upwardly from its inner edge to its upper side and being of diminishing cross section as it extends upwardly and outwardly, and deformable packing in the recesses adapted to come into pressural sealing engagement at the inner edges of the members and to flow upwardly and outwardly in the recesses to seal with the seat when the members are in said position.

4. In a device of the character described, a body having an opening and a chamber intersecting the opening, a seat on the wall of the chamber around the opening, valve members in the chamber operatable to positions where they extend across the opening and have their inner edges in co-operative engagement, there being recesses in the members extending outwardly from the inner edges of the members to each communicate with a side of a member, the walls of the recesses being outwardly convergent, and deformable packing in the recesses to come into sealing co-operative engagement at the inner edges of the members and to be pressed outwardly through the recesses to seal with the seat.

5. In a device of the character described, a body having an opening and a chamber intersecting the opening, a seat on the wall of the chamber around the opening, valve members in the chamber operatable to positions where they extend across the opening and have their inner edges in co-operative engagement, there being recesses in the members extending outwardly from the inner edges of the members to the upper sides of the members, the walls of the recesses being outwardly convergent, deformable packing in the recesses to come into sealing co-operative engagement at the inner edges of the members and adapted to be pressed outwardly through the recesses to seal with the seat, and means for passing fluid pressure from the opening to the chamber to act upon the said members.

6. In a device of the character described, a body having an opening and a chamber intersecting the opening, a seat on the wall of the chamber around the opening, valve members-in the chamber operatable to positions where they extend across the opening and have their inner edges in co-operative engagement, there being recesses in the members extending outwardly from the inner edges of the members to the upper sides of the members, the walls of the recesses being outwardly convergent, deformable packing in the recesses to come into sealing co-operative engagement at the inner edges of the members and adapted to be pressed outwardly through the recesses to seal with the seat, mechanical means for Operating the said members to the sealing positions, and fluid pressure means for assisting the mechanical means to hold the members in the sealing position.

7. A'control head including, a housing adapted to be mounted on a well casing and having an opening to register with the well casing' and a chamber intersecting the opening, two valve members operatable in the chamber between positions free of the opening and positions in sealing engagement with an object extending through said opening, there being a seat on the upper wall of the chamber around the said opening, there being recesses in the inner ends of the members extending outwardly and upwardly to the upper sides of the members, the recesses being outwardly convergent, and packing in the recesses shaped to seal about the object and adapted to be pressed through the recesses into sealing engagement with the seat when the members are in Cooperation, there being a port in the housing extending from the opening to the chamber to admit fluid pressure from the well to the chamber to act on the members.

HARRY P. WICKERSHAM. JAMES O. I'OW. 

